During November 2003, there were 70 disputes, 6 less than October 2003.

The number of employees involved in industrial disputes decreased from 72,200 in October 2003 to 32,300 in November 2003.

There were 36,900 working days lost due to industrial disputation in November 2003, a decrease of 38,900 from October 2003.

The Construction industry accounted for 12,200 (33%) of the total number of working days lost in November 2003.

In November 2003, Western Australia accounted for 16,200 (44%) of working days lost.

ANNUAL ESTIMATES

During the twelve months ended November 2003, there were 639 disputes, 115 less than in the twelve months ended November 2002.

During the twelve months ended November 2003, there were 419,700 working days lost, 169,300 more than in the twelve months ended November 2002.

The Coal mining industry had the highest number of working days lost per thousand employees (393) in the twelve months ended November 2003.

Western Australia had the highest number of working days lost per thousand employees (97) in the twelve months ended November 2003.

NOTES

CHANGES IN THIS ISSUE

Revisions have been made to the monthly series as a result of disputes being identified after the release of the previous issue and as a result of correcting errors in previously reported data.

FUTURE ISSUES

This publication (cat. no. 6321.0) will be replaced with a quarterly electronic publication (cat. no. 6321.0.55.001) commencing with the publication for March quarter 2004. The December 2003 issue of this publication, which is scheduled for release on 18 March 2004, will be the final monthly release in the form of a printed publication.

The March quarter 2004 electronic publication is scheduled to be released in June 2004. The electronic publication will contain a small number of tables presenting quarterly data and will be available free from the ABS web site. Statistics currently contained in this publication will continue to be available, but for a quarterly reference period.

ABBREVIATIONS

ABS

Australian Bureau of Statistics

ANZSIC

Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification

INQUIRIES

For further information about these and related statistics, contact the National Information and Referral Service on 1300 135 070 or Peta Sheehan on Perth (08) 9360 5159.